Door closer

ABSTRACT

1,039,690. Door closers. EATON YALE &amp; TOWNE Inc. July 8, 1963 [Aug&#39; 6, 1962], No. 26880/63. Heading E2M. A door closer consists of a metal or synthetic resin casing formed in two similar parts 1, 2, having overlapping edges 35, supporting on bearings 16 and packing rings 17 an axle 3 having two driving collars 19 with saw-tooth catches 20 and between them an eccentric collar 6 about which pivots a flat piston connecting rod 5 the other end of which is connected by a bolt 7 to an hydraulic brake piston 8 slidably carried in a brake cylinder 9 preferably of sheet metal supported in the casing by stiffening ribs 11, 12, 13, Fig. 2 (not shown). The inner and outer edges of spiral closer springs 21 engage catches 20 and projections 24, Fig. 2, of the casing respectively. The casing is filled with brake fluid and the piston which may be of synthetic resin has a resilient annular rim 8&lt;SP&gt;1&lt;/SP&gt; and an axial pressure relief valve 28, these together with a throttling valve 33 in the casing connected to the cylinder 9 by parts 30 being arranged to provide a damping effect which decreases when the door reaches the almost closed position. The closer is fixed to a door by a mounting plate 36 attached to the closer by lugs 36&lt;SP&gt;1&lt;/SP&gt; inserted into openings 38 in the casing and secured by screws 39.

DOOR CLOSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 30, 1965 INVENTORS WOLFGANG E. H

H EIN Z W. FURC HNEK BY -ro- E'HLEN 1965 w. E. HElNlTZ ETAL 3,21

DOOR CLOSER Filed July 30, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 3 9

15 INVENTORS w OLF'Gfl NG E. HE! m-z Hsmz W.FURCHNE2 BY ANTON EHLEN United States Patent 3,210,797 DOOR CLOSER Wolfgang E. Heinitz, Heiligenhaus, Heinz W. Furchner,

Velbert, and Anton Ehlen, Menne uber Warburg, Germany, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Yale & Towne, Inc., New York, N.Y., a company of Ohio Filed July 30, 1963, Ser. No. 298,690 Claims priority, application Germany, Aug. 6, 1962, Y 620 15 Claims. (CI. 16-59) This invention relates to a door closer of the class having a closer casing that encloses a closer spring, a closer axle, and a brake piston connected thereto, as well as a brake cylinder and brake fluid.

The closer casing of the earlier door closers of the particular class generally comprises an integral casting in which several recessed portions and holes, to be closed by screw caps, are provided for accepting the above-mentioned closer elements. The manufacture and assembly of such door closers cause considerable difficulty, because in some respects the recessed portions in the closer casing are not fully accessible. A further disadvantage is that, owing to the especial arrangement and co-ordination of the closer elements to be incorporated in them, conventional closer casings are often relatively large and clumsy, hence frequently conspicuous and unappealing.

The invention is based on the object of designing a door closer of the class described, which will overcome the aforementioned deficiencies and which can rather easily and inexpensively be produced. Also, the closer will take up the smallest possible space and may be easily mounted. According to the invention, this is achieved essentially by assembling the closer casing from two com plementary upper and lower hollow shells somewhat in the manner of a clam shell, and by utilizing a brake cylinder that is assembled in position between the complementary shells and at right angles to closer axle. In this way, one attains a door closer featuring attractiveness of design and simplicity of mounting. This is not only due to the clam-shell design of the casing, but also to the fact that the brake cylinder provided for the brake piston can very easily and accurately be manufactured separately from the casing, for instance from appropriately shaped deep-drawing quality sheet metal, and then can readily be installed in the casing. The complicated and costly machining of the casing to form a cylinder for the brake piston, as generally required, is thus eliminated here.

According to a further characteristic of the invention, an all-flat piston connecting rod is articulated to the brake piston, and encircles an eccentric collar provided on closer axle at a point in line with the joint between the two casing shells. Not only can this all-flat piston connecting rod easily be manufactured, e.g. as a simple stamped part, but, since it is located in level with the joint of the casing shells, it also acts approximately upon the center of the closer axle. This prevents a tilting action of the connecting rod on the closer axle, so that the rod will apply a balanced load to the axle and will not cause unequal wear of the bearings on which the axle rotates in the casing.

A further special advantage accrues from a pair of spiral closer springs arranged so as to engage the closer axle one above and one below the eccentric collar. This results in a uniform spring load being exerted on the bearings of the closer axle when the door is opened and closed. For practical reasons, both closer springs are in direct engagement with the driving collar provided on the closer axle. This not only enables rapid assembly of the door closer, but also a sensitive presetting of the closer springs so as to achieve the particular closing force that may be desired.

The two complementary shells of the casing can be bonded by means of an adhesive, resulting in a further simplification of manufacture and assembly as well as a completely smooth monocoque design on the exterior.

To enable a quick and adequate mounting of the new door closer on a door or the like, openings have been provided on the rear side of the complementary casing shells for insertion of the angular ends of a mounting plate having tapped holes. The angular plate ends to be inserted in the openings are to be attached to the shells by means of locking screws to be inserted at the opposed ends of the casing shells.

Further details according to the invention are specified by way of a practical example shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the new door closer in vertical longitudinal section according to line II of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 shows a horizontal section;

FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross section substantially on the line IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a corresponding cross section substantially on the line IVIV of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the door closer, partly sectional.

The door closer designed according to the invention features a closer casing consisting of two complementary hollow upper and lower shells 1, 2, each shell preferably forming approximately one half of the casing so that the joint 4 between them may be said to extend equatorially. A closer axle 3 is arranged equally in the extreme upper and lower shell portions 1, 2'. As shown in FIG. 1, flat plate-like piston connecting rod 5 is located in level with joint 4 of the two casing shells 1, 2 and at right angles to closer axle 3. One end 5' of rod 5 encircles an eccentric collar 6 arranged in the center of the closer axle 3, while its other end 5 is articulated to brake piston 8 of the door closer by means of bolt 7. Piston 8, which can be made of plastic material, is slidably carried in a brake cylinder 9 and has an annular sealing member 8' arranged at its face toward the working chamber of the cylinder.

The brake cylinder 9 for brake piston 8 is a cup-shaped member preferably made by deep-drawing sheet metal, and is assembled in position between casing shells 1, 2 at right angles to closer axle 3. On its open side facing connecting rod 5, brake cylinder 9 has a rim flange 10 bent outwardly through which the cylinder 9 is supported by stiffening ribs 11 extending from the interior shells 1, 2, as shown in particular in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, casing ribs 12 firmly engage the surface area 9' of brake cylinder 9 and projections 13 engage the cylinder bottom 9", acting as a further support and holding the cylinder against sliding in the casing.

To enable the new door closer to be used for both left and right hand doors, each end of closer axle 3 protrudes from the closer casing, each being equipped with a coupling lug 14 of essentially square design for mounting a main closer arm not shown in the drawings. Each coupling lug 14 not used can expediently be covered by an ornamental cap 15, as illustrated, for instance, in FIG. 5.

Closer axle 3 is mounted through bearings 16 for rotation in appropriately designed bearing openings 18 in the upper and lower casing portions 1', 2', there also being packing rings 17 in the bearing openings. Furthermore, closer axle 3 is equipped with driving collars 19 having saw-tooth type catches 20 located on the perimeter of collars 19, each driving collar 19 being axially arranged between a gearing 16 of closer axle 3 and its eccentric collar 6. Spiral closer springs 21 are assembled about the driving collars 19 above and below eccentric collar 6.

The interior end 22 of each spring 21 can directly engage a saw-tooth type catch 20 provided at the perimeter of the corresponding driving collar 19, while the exterior spring end 23 is anchored on a hook-like projection 24 of the casing. By appropriate mesh of each interior hooklike bent spring end 22 with one of the catches 20 on driving collar 19, as by suitable twisting of closer axle 3, the initial tension of closer springs 21 can be selectively set.

As shown especially in FIG. 2, the closer casing has a filling hole 26 for brake fluid provided at a suitable location and closed by screw plug 25. Filling hole 26 for brake fluid is arranged so as to enable the spaces in which the closer springs 21 and all other closer elements are assembled to be completely filled with brake fluid, ensuring proper lubrication of the closer parts, particularly of the closer springs, thus obviating any noticeable friction between the individual spring coils.

So that the brake fluid may act in the necessary manner, the piston 8 is formed with a port 27 having a back pressure valve 28 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the lower casing shell 2 has a rather conventional port 31 connected to the working chamber on the bottom side of brake cylinder 9, as through ports 30 sealed by packing rings 29. The rate at which fluid will flow through port 31 can be set to the throttle section required; port 31 will be controlled by a valve 33 that can be adjusted through a nut 32. Moreover, piston 8 has a radial discharge port 34 so arranged as to place the low pressure end of the piston in communication with one of the ports 30 when the door is near a closed position, as in FIG. 2. Thereby the throttling of brake fluid circulation is discontinued in a well-known manner, enabling the door to be speedily brought into closed position by action of the closer spring.

Shells 1, 2, constituting the door closer casing, can be made of metal or of some suitable plastic material. They may be formed by the pressure casting, die casting or sand-mould casting method. Preferably, the shells are assembled by bonding the joint between them. For this purpose, one of the two shells, e.g., the lower one, is provided with a somewhat protruding overlapping flange 35 at its front side and at either end within the zone of the joint. Overlapping flange 35 has an oblique interior side 35' on which a correspondingly oblique outer edge of the upper shell bears, and to which it is bonded. As a matter of course, however, the connection of casing shells 1, 2 can also be obtained in a modified way, as by using screws that secure the shells together, while interposing a packing strip.

As disclosed in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, no protruding flange is provided at the rear joint of the closer housing, the joint being flush at that point. That will allow the use of a mounting plate 36 designed to facilitate mounting of the door closer, as on the door frame 37 or the like. Mounting plate 36 used for attaching the closer consists of a flat strip, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, featuring, at either end, upper and lower lugs 36' bent forward to be inserted into corresponding openings 38 provided on shells 1, 2, and connected to the shells by means of locking screws 39 that will be introduced from either shell end. Mounting plate 36 has openings 40 into which clamping bolts are to be inserted to attach the plate to door frame 37 prior to mounting of the closer casing.

The assembly of the new door closer can easily be carried out in the following way: First, closer axle 3 with packing ring 17 is inserted in lower casing shell 2. Then, lower closer spring 21 is slid on closer axle 3 from above, its interior hook-like bent end 22 being engaged, as required, in the corresponding saw-tooth like catch 20 of the lower driving collar 19, and its exterior hook-like bent end 23 being suspended on casing projection 24. Thereafter, brake cylinder 9 together with brake piston 8 and articulated piston connecting rod is installed in lower casing shell 2. Owing to its opening for the eccentric collar 6, piston connecting rod 5 can readily be passed over closer axle 3 and upper driving collar 19. To enable connecting rod 5 to be assembled on eccentric collar 6 so as to be staggered relatively to driving collar 19, either the eccentric collar 6 or the connecting rod opening is formed with a corresponding chamfer, not shown, permitting a slight tilt of connecting rod 5 a short distance before reaching the eccentric collar, after which rod 5 can be swivelled into horizontal position. Brake pot 9 is pushed between stiffening ribs 12 and 13 and hence secured in its position. After that, upper closer spring 21 is installed, its interior and exterior ends 22, 23 being attached in the same was as the lower spring. Finally, the upper casing shell is suitably connected to the lower one, for example by bonding or screwing.

In alteration of the practical example shown, only one of the closer springs may be in direct engagement with a driving collar provided on the closer axle, while the other closer spring engages a special driver bushing which is slid on closer axle in lieu of the second driving collar, and attached to the closer axle so as to be not rotatable. The non-rotatable arrangement of the driving collar on the closer axle can be brought about by a correspondingly designed driving key. In this case, the chamfer provided for the assembly of the connecting rod to the eccentric collar can be dispensed with.

We now claim:

1. In a door closer of the class described, two complementary shell members joined at their peripheries to form a hollow closer casing, a closer axle mounted to rotate in said casing, spring means assembled in the casing for rotating the axle in a door closing direction, a brake piston connected to said axle in the casing, a brake cylinder coacting with the piston, and opposed inner portions of the complementary shell members engaging said brake cylinder whereby to hold said cylinder in predetermined relation to the closer casing and axle when the shell members are joined.

2. In a door closer of the class described, two complementary shell members joined at their peripheries to form a hollow closer casing, a closer axle mounted to rotate in said casing, spring means assembled in the casing for rotating the axle in a door closing direction, a brake piston connected to said axle in the casing, a brake cylinder coacting with the piston, and opposed inner portions of the complementary shell members engaging opposed sides and also opposed ends of said brake cylinder whereby to hold said cylinder in predetermined assembled relation to the closer casing and axle when the shell members are joined.

3. In a door closer of the class described, two complementary upper and lower shell members, means assembling said shell members to one another to form a hollow closer casing, said shell members forming a joint extending longitudinally about the periphery of the casing, a closer axle mounted to rotate on bearings in the upper and lower shell members of the casing, spring means assembled in the casing for rotating the axle in a door closing direction, a brake piston connected to the axle in the casing, a brake cylinder coacting with the brake p1ston, and opposed inner portions of the upper and lower shell members engaging opposed sides and also opposed ends of the brake cylinder whereby to hold said cylinder in predetermined relation to the closer casing and axle when the shell members are assembled.

4. In a door closer of the class described, two complementary shell members of substantially equal size, means assembling said shell members to one another to form a hollow closer casing, said shell members forming a peripheral joint extending in a longitudinal medial plane on the casing, a closer axle mounted to rotate on hearings in the casing, spring means assembled in the casing for rotating the axle in a door closing direction, a brake piston connected to the axle in the casing, a brake cylinder coacting with the brake piston, and opposed inner portions of the shell members engaging the brake cylinder whereby to hold said cylinder in predetermined relation to the closer casing and axle when the shell members are assembled.

5. In a door closer of the class described, two complementary upper and lower shell members of substantially equal size, means assembling said shell members to one another to form a hollow closer casing, said shell members forming a joint extending in a medial horizontal plane, a closer axle mounted to rotate on bearings in a vertical axis in the upper and lower shell members of the casing, spring means assembled in the casing for rotating the axle in a door closing direction, a brake piston connected to the axle in the casing, a brake cylinder coacting with the brake piston, and opposed inner portions of the upper and lower shell members engaging opposed sides and also opposed ends of the brake cylinder whereby to hold said cylinder in predetermined relation to the closer casing and axle when the shell members are assembled.

6. In a door closer of the class described, tWo complementary upper and lower shell members, means assembling said shell members to one another to form a hollow closer casing, said shell members forming .a joint extending in a horizontal plane about the periphery of the casing, a closer axle mounted to rotate on bearings in a vertical axis in the upper and lower shell members of the casing, spring means assembled in the casing for rotating this axle in a door closing direction, a brake piston, a connecting rod arranged in the plane of the casing joint and connecting the piston to the axle in the casing, a brake cylinder coacting with the brake piston, and opposed inner portions of the upper and lower shells engaging the brake cylinder whereby to hold said cylinder in predetermined relation to the closer casing and axle when the shell members are assembled.

7. In a door closer of the class described, two complementary upper and lower shell members of substantially equal size, means assembling said shell members to one another to form a hollow closer casing, said shell members forming a joint extending in a horizontal plane about the periphery of the casing, a closer axle mounted to rotate on bearings in the upper and lower shell members of the casing, a pair of closer springs assembled one about the axle in each upper and lower shell member and each effective for rotating the axle in a door closing direction, a brake piston, a connecting rod arranged in the plane of the casing joint and connecting the piston to the axle in the casing, a brake cylinder coacting with the brake piston, and opposed inner portions of the upper and lower shell members engaging opposed sides and also opposed ends of the brake cylinder whereby to hold said cylinder in predetermined relation to the closer casing and axle when the shell members are assembled.

8. In a door closer as set forth in claim 7, a driving collar secured on the closer axle, said collar having a tooth coacting with one of said closer springs to connect that spring to the axle, and a driver bushing, axially slidable to a position keyed on the axle, and through which the other of said springs is connected to the axle.

9. In a door closer as set forth in claim 7, an eccentric portion arranged at a medial point on the axle, said connecting rod being a fiat plate-like shape and being formed with an opening coacting with the eccentric portion of the axle whereby to connect the piston to the axle, said closer springs being closely juxtaposed to the upper and lower surfaces of the eccentric portion and the flat connecting rod.

10. In a door closer of the class described, a closer casing, a closer axle mounted at its opposed end portions to rotate in bearings on upper and lower sides of said casing, an eccentric portion arranged at a medial point on said closer axle, a brake piston in the casing, a flat, plate-like connecting rod connected to the piston and formed with an opening engaging said eccentric portion of the axle, a pair of closer springs for rotating the axle in a door closing direction and arranged about the axle one above and one below its eccentric portion in the casing, and said connecting rod by its fiat shape enabling the closer springs to be assembled in closely juxtaposed relation to the upper and lower surfaces of the eccentric portion and connecting rod, so as to reduce the necessary vertical dimension of the closer casing.

11. In a door closer as set forth in claim 1, a series of stiffening ribs integrally formed on the inner surfaces of the complementary shell members and contributing the portions that hold the brake cylinder in predetermined relation to the closer casing and axle.

12. In a door closer as set forth in claim 1, a fluid control valve mounted in the closer casing, and a fluid port formed at least partly in the brake cylinder and placing the interior of the cylinder in communication with said control valve.

13. In a door closer as set forth in claim 1, plastic material forming the substance of the complementary shell members and the brake piston.

14. In a door closer as set forth in claim 1, means bonding the peripheries of the two shell members to each other to form a sealed joint extending continuously around the closer casing.

15. In a door closer as set forth in claim 3, a mounting plate adapted to be attached to the surface of a door, a pair of upper and lower angular lugs extending outwardly on each end of the mounting plate, opposed end portions of each upper and lower shell member having surfaces engaging corresponding lugs when the closer casing is assembled to the mounting plate, and screw means engaging between the shell members and lugs to hold said surfaces of each shell member against the lugs whereby to mount the closer casing on the mounting plate.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,134,111 4/15 Doro 16-59 2,956,302 10/60 Rolph et al. 1659 3,011,208 12/61 Bomm et al. 16-59 DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. BERNARD A. GELAK, Examiner. 

1. IN A DOOR CLOSER OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, TWO COMPLEMENTARY SHELL MEMBERS JOINED AT THEIR PERIPHERIES TO FORM A HOLLOW CLOSER CASING, A CLOSER AXLE MOUNTED TO ROTATE IN SAID CASING, SPRING MEANS ASSEMBLED IN THE CASING FOR ROTATING THE AXLE IN A DOOR CLOSING DIRECTION, A BRAKE PISTON CONNECTED TO SIAD AXLE IN THE CASING, A BRAKE CYLINDER COACTING WITH THE PISTON, AND OPPOSED INNER PORTIONS OF THE COMPLEMENTARY SHELL MEMBERS ENGAGING SAID BRAKE CYLINDER WHEREBY TO HOLD SAID CYLINDER IN PREDETERMINED RELATION TO THE CLOSER CASING AND AXLE WHEN THE SHELL MEMBERS ARE JOINED. 